Ala Moana Flat Water RIP?

[Kaweeka]

Use of stand-up paddle boards at Ala Moana Beach Park to be discussed
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090414/BREAKING01/90414069

Read between the lines - the push is on to ban SUPs.  Too bad since this is one of the great places to learn how to paddle. 

It will also be a hard regulation to craft.  Lots of short, long, boogie, waveskis, etc. paddle across this stretch of water.  But if they can figure out a legal way to discriminate against stand up paddlers - where will they stop?  Is Waikiki next, then maybe Puena Point?

[Sam Pa'e]

Use of stand-up paddle boards at Ala Moana Beach Park to be discussed
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090414/BREAKING01/90414069

Relax there's no need to panic........YET!!!!  It's just a discussion. This is in response from public out cry & an accident that happen some time back with a swimmer and an SUP'er. Now there are going to talk with the public and see if we all can come to an agreement

Read between the lines - the push is on to ban SUPs.  Too bad since this is one of the great places to learn how to paddle. 

I don't see a ban on this sport, just a discussion between recreational user. But this was bound to happen. You guys seen the influx of this sport and it's growing popularity.........If we don't regulate our self, I guarantee there will be another public meeting.

It will also be a hard regulation to craft.  Lots of short, long, boogie, waveskis, etc. paddle across this stretch of water.  But if they can figure out a legal way to discriminate against stand up paddlers - where will they stop?  Is Waikiki next, then maybe Puena Point?

All they are going to do split the swim area in half and the SUP'er will stay on the ocean side of the swim area and the swimmers stay on the park side of the swim area.

This will be divided by floaters in the middle of the swim area. Did you know that this area is considered as a canoeing channel?

Aloha.....Sam

[awe]

No I did not know it was a canoeing channel. You don't see any canoes in there.
I think Reid Inoye spoke to DLNR?  a few months back to see if floaters could be set up to devide the swimmers and the sup's, I guess we'll see what comes about May 2, 2009   
I hope there is a large turn out in support of us sup's not only in AlaMoana area but  in general, this might set a presidence later on.
Then again this is just a meeting to start.
                       Aloha

[tautologies]

I'll be there participating. We go there all the time, and we've going for 18 months...when we started there were no one else...now there is a lot, but never crowded, and never any problems with swimmers.

I'd say we should try to be proactive and push out information to people SUP-ing there. I think dividing the lanes would work..how about just creating a informal rule...SUP always on the outside...swimmers on the inside of the floaters?

a.

[awe]

sounds good, that would work..We just have to spread the word. All the sup's that I have met there are really great people.
See you there
                                   

[tautologies]

Nice,
I think from experience it might be harder to get swimmer to understand if we ask them to swim on the inside...

I've been through a bit of this in Kailua with kiteboarding, and people who are use to doing something resist changes and detest being asked to move...so if we just concentrate talking with SUP'ers, then I think we'll be good.

a.

[Sam Pa'e]

I'll be there participating. We go there all the time,

I see several zoners will be there at the meeting.......Anybody else showing up........I will be there!!!

Hopefully we can all meet each other there. I'll be looking forward to meeting you guys.

Aloha.........Sam

[tautologies]

maybe we should organize a little. I mean we could make something like oahu SUP club. I'd say it would be easier to get information out if we have an email list we can send information out on...

I can easily set up something on a server...

If enough of us come we'd be visible if we wear the same t-shirts or something..of course if there is only 3 of us, it will not helo much  :-)
I dunno...let me know what you think?

[tautologies]

hey a report on the SUP stuff on KHNL now at 10....should be online later...

we'll see.....

[Blane Chambers]

I want so much to attend but I will not be in Hawaii on May 2nd.    

The biggest problems especially last year were people doing big board demos there.    They would advertise free demos, set up tents, banners etc, lay out a bunch of boards then let everyone paddle without any assitance right into the swimming lanes.    Sometimes there would be 10 or more boards at a time with people who couldn't even stop or turn around going straight at swimmers.       Swimmers got pissed while the board dealers were cutting paddles and collected money right on the beach.     Heck, park users were getting hit by novices just trying to get boards into the water!    Of course they would do it ON THE CROWDED WEEKENDS right in the busiest section of the park.      One day, man I'd like to tell everyone the BS that went down there!     I'm not surprised one bit the swimmers are wanting a complete ban.     The swimmers started this attempt at a ban rolling back then.     They told me back then they would try to ban SUP because of how "Out of control" it was getting referring to the demos.   Swimmers were OK with SUP till those demos.   The bad taste for SUP was put in the park users mouths right then and there.

These guys doing the demos KNEW how much they were bumming people out but didn't stop doing them!!!!!!!!!!!!   NO RESPECT     All these companies trying to act all innocent now after the major damage to the SUP/Swimmer relationship has already been done there.      Bottom line is all the obstacles paddlers are having now were fueled by those demos.     All the companies that did those demos at Ala Moana, shame on you!      You tried to hide it as, "Sharing the Stoke" when we all know it was really to MAKE MONEY.      Now look what's happening.   

Swimmers have the right of way and should ALWAYS have the right of way.     
IMO,  number one thing is to at least ban multiple board demos there especially on the weekends when its crowded.       All other issues you guys can address at the meeting.     The place is a killer good paddle and if done right swimmers and paddlers can co-exist happily.         

[Velasco]

This same thing brewed up with kitesurfers and homeowners and beachgoers out in Kailua.

The kiters started self policing and getting professional instructor qualifications to promote safe use of kites in crowded conditions.

I know a bunch of the kiters out there have embraced SUP - maybe they can share lessons learned to prevent a SUP ban...

[tautologies]

This same thing brewed up with kitesurfers and homeowners and beachgoers out in Kailua.

The kiters started self policing and getting professional instructor qualifications to promote safe use of kites in crowded conditions.

I know a bunch of the kiters out there have embraced SUP - maybe they can share lessons learned to prevent a SUP ban...

hey I am one of the guys that has worked on on this. I must say though that this issue is a little different, but self policing is definitely the first and least intrusive step. We've worked with DLNR on getting a sign on the beach, and it recently came up, denoting the zones dedicated for windusers. Now I think that my suggestion of just telling SUP'er to stay in the outside lane (virtual lane) is a good first step. However, recently some people that does not know how to turn their boards around have been coming out. It seems to be that we should be able to advise them to take a lesson.

Again, if interested I can setup a site were we put all our thoughts and information about SUP'ing on Oahu (+ other islands?)..nd about incidents..what breaks to go to and not...

Maybe we can post for instance (of course with reference to the originator) my SUP bible...the kook or kool guidelines there too?

[edmund]

Aloha kakou

The SUP demos have created too many risks for the general public and the surfers at Ala Moana and Kaimana. Its not the general ocean recreation participant thats a problem.
Organizers of the  paddling schools and the so called demos are responsible for the outlash from  people, swim clubs and yes, our brother surfers.
These events are more dangerous than surf contests. The general ocean recreationalist and surfers are over it because of them, no names. Even the instructors are hitting people and sending them to the doctors office. Get a grip, literally, keep those boards from flying all over the place. I don't even see handles on those boards.
There are pictures of the "concessionaires" cutting loose 20 people with 7 foot long blades and multiple sharp finned boards amongst crowds of children, tourist and locals trying to get some quality outdoor recreation time.  Its simply cold and  downright selfish of those businesses. The wind just blows these people into unwary swimmers. Its too late by the time the concessionaire gets to the client.  The next month those same SUP ers are paddling venturing into the surf spots, having learned nothing about safety at the demo. They're paddling backwards into swimmers?
Oh Sorry I didn't see you. What? You can see for miles on these boards.
Non surfer - SUP ers are paddling or drifting right into the peak at surf spots and falling trying to get waves. Heck, they are falling off like dominoes when a breeze hits them. Of course the boards go right into everyone, banging rails, hitting me, children, men, women and other novices.

The topic of discussions amongst the surf community are that they are not looking forward to these rookie SUPer or even experts paddling outside the lineups this summer. Its pretty transparent, the way we act surfing is the way we SUP. Share a wave with another SUP, that keeps the wave count up for the surfers. Keep a safe distance and  go behinds with a willing party is a good thing, nice ride.

Businesses keep your guard up, don't leave it up to the lifeguards to explain the problem to those beginners. Banning can and will be done if we don't marshal the waters with a smile ourselves. Talk to  those people that are hazard and turn them on to a place suited for their ability so they have more FUN. They need to be able to manage whitewater situations before venturing outside.

SUP surfing can be done in all kinds of conditions, large or tubular but by those individuals that are capable. I am more inspired by an SUPer over one of those fat out of shape old grumpy has beens on tankers anytime. And I feel safer surfing with fit and experienced SUP surfer than a rookie surfer. SUP is a really healthy sport but there is a responsibility attached, as there is in surfing.

There seems to be a gross oversight regarding safety and the general huge infux in surfing. SUP has taken the  spotlight, its unfair. Lets not be the victims and take control of safety ourselves. There are way more surfing accidents than SUP accidents!
If someone thinks separating SUPs from others is the answer well best start where the user conflicts show real statistics, for instance swimmers vs surfers at Ehukai Beach. Beginners trying to surf 8 foot Laniakea, Pipeline etc... How many emergency cases take place there?

Common sense shall prevail. Windsurfing and surfing still blend at Diamond Head and other spots.
The key is to treat others as you would expect to be treated.

I am in favor of a ban to those so called demos that have spread to Kaimana Beach another favorite swim channel. Go away. You are blowing it for that community too. I understand there is a captured audience there but most want you to go away.  

There are many business models out there that are successful and its certainly not in my interest to see business fail. I love you and all the others sharing our ocean.

Its almost like having a shark cage business come to your neighborhood. Is it about stoking people out or the almighty buck.


A hui hou
Edmund

[jordanzs]

I had an older swimmer guy give me some stinkeye:

I was doing my pole to pole laps on one of those really tradewindy days.  Going upwind, I can hold my line and do it without falling, but during a heavy wind gust, I'm pretty much stationary, paddling to keep me in place, with a little bit of forward movement.

Well during a long heavy gust, I was paddling but stationary, and a swimmer was doing a lap perpendicular to me, he came from the beach, and was paddling straight out towards the reef/surf zone.  since I wasn't moving, his cross-ways line put him on a collision course with me.  I jumped off the board & grabbed it just to solidify my position so that I don't fall off into him, and he looked annoyed that he had to adjust his perpendicular line a little bit.  I gave him the shaka & went about my way, it's about all I could do.  Part of me would love to tell him to swim with the flow of traffic rather than against it, but the other part of me that respects our sport told me to smile & move on.  I'm sure he's been burned by many demos & beginner riders though.

[tautologies]

More on it in H-Adv. http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090421/NEWS01/904210356

A